Director of Distribution

Trademark Recruiting is partnering with a fast-growing CPG company in the Tampa Bay area to identify a Director of Distribution. This leader will own the full retail distribution process, including account setup, order coordination, fulfillment, and compliance. The position will manage an expanding operations team and establish the infrastructure, workflows, and best practices needed to support significant growth and broader national retail expansion. This is a highly visible, hands-on opportunity for someone who can balance long-term strategy with day-to-day execution.This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who can develop strategy while also getting into the details to build and improve the operation. Experience with major retailers such as Wal-Mart, Target, Costco, or Sprouts is highly preferred.The ideal candidate has experience in both larger organizations and entrepreneurial environments, with a proven ability to build retail infrastructure from the ground up. CPG experience is required, with food, beverage, or supplements preferred. Strong EDI, ERP/WMS, and retailer compliance experience is essential, with Wherefour ERP experience a plus.OVERVIEWRetail & Customer OperationsDevelop retailer-specific SOPs, routing guides, and operating processes.Serve as the operational lead for major retail partners.Manage the order-to-cash process, including POs, invoicing, OTIF, deductions, and chargebacks.Ensure compliance with retailer requirements, including item setup, GS1/barcodes, RFID, packaging, and timing requirements.Distribution & LogisticsOversee packaging, warehouse, fulfillment, and shipping operations with a focus on efficiency, quality, and cost.Manage LTL/TL transportation, carriers, 3PLs, and freight partners.Maintain strong OTIF performance across retail channels.Drive continuous improvement across facility layout, equipment, packaging, workflows, and SOPs.Quality, Compliance & SafetyEnsure adherence to cGMP, food safety, regulatory, and customer requirements.Manage CAPA, deviations, traceability, documentation, and audit preparation.Maintain OSHA compliance and promote a strong safety culture.Systems, Planning & AnalyticsOwn EDI, retailer portals, ERP integrations, and related systems.Maximize ERP capabilities while avoiding unnecessary customization.Lead supply and demand planning and improve forecast accuracy.Build reporting and KPIs to monitor retailer performance and identify risks.Team LeadershipHire, develop, and lead warehouse, packaging, shipping, and supervisory teams.Establish a culture of accountability, safety, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.Build scalable processes to support new retailers and SKU growth.What You Bring10+ years of retail distribution/operations experience, ideally in CPG, food & beverage, supplements, or related industries.Direct experience with major retailers such as Target, Costco, Sprouts, or similar.Strong knowledge of EDI, ERP/WMS, retailer portals, order-to-cash, OTIF, routing guides, RFID, and chargebacks.Experience managing warehouse, fulfillment, packaging, co-packing, or 3PL operations.Proven ability to build or scale production and distribution processes, including layouts, equipment, throughput, and SOPs.Knowledge of retail packaging formats, including case packs, club packs, and display-ready packaging.Strong supply/demand planning and analytical skills; Circana, SPINS, or Nielsen experience is a plus.Working knowledge of cGMP, lot traceability, quality control, and food/supplement manufacturing.Excellent cross-functional communication skills.A builder mentality—you’ve created systems, written SOPs, and fixed broken processes rather than simply managing established ones.Nice to HaveExperience scaling from 1–2 retail accounts to 5+.Background in natural products, wellness, or supplements.Experience with Wherefour or other ERP/WMS platforms.